MG Motor Australia, with the backing of its parent company SAIC Motor, has shipped 3100 brand-new MG SUVs and hatchbacks to Australia.
The Viking Emerald, owned by SAIC Motor, departed Shanghai and arrived in Port Kembla on Friday, May 12.
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MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao (left)
MG says this was the first time it had filled an entire ship bound to Australia with its own vehicles.
The boat was filled with MG ZS EV Long Range, MG HS Plus EV and MG ZST SUVs and MG3 hatchbacks.
Since the beginning of the year, the brand says it has successfully transported 25,000 brand new vehicles to our shores.
“We have worked hard with our SAIC family to support our Australian dealers and their customers with this shipment. The Viking Emerald sparkled because it is carrying a full load of MG vehicles,” said Peter Ciao, CEO of MG Motor Australia and New Zealand.
“Time and time again, we see people feeling overwhelmed because of the pressures that they face as part of modern life. The least I can do is show how much we care and say thank you by delivering their car as soon as possible.”
The brand recently revealed the pricing and specifications for its electric MG4, due in the second half of this year.
“We have many exciting plans for Australia in the near future for electric vehicles, starting with the official launch and deliveries of the MG4 this year,” said Mr Ciao.
Recently, the Australian Government called on car brands to stop importing vehicles contaminated with biosecurity risks, to help ease growing quarantine backlogs at the nation’s ports.
Since 2021, Australia’s ports have seen an 88 per cent increase in new vehicles arriving with biosecurity risk material contamination, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
MG has taken steps to ensure its shipment of vehicles is in line with Australian quarantine standards.
“MG Motor Australia understands, acknowledges and respects the importance of biosecurity measures to ensure the longevity and safety of Australia’s environment and ecosystem,” said Mr Ciao.
“MG Motor Australia is committed to supporting Australia’s biosecurity measures and have invested and refined the steps we take both offshore and locally to ensure our cars are thoroughly cleaned prior to arriving in Australia, with our dealers and customers being rewarded with faster delivery times as a result.”
The company says it’s working closely with Australian Amalgamated Terminals (AAT) and the Department of Agriculture to ensure the quick processing and cleaning of newly delivered vehicles.
According to AAT Port Kembla terminal manager Evan Wissel, the port has received over 16,631 cars this year.
Each vehicle requires a deep clean, contamination clearance, and then is distributed across NSW and wider Australia.
“AAT welcomes MG as a regular calling customer to our terminals and congratulates MG on their growth, export process refinement and improvement of import presentation of its vehicles,” says Mr Wissel.
